FR 2025-03517

Summary of the Document

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a notice requesting public comments to help reduce paperwork burdens, as mandated by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Small Business Paperworks Relief Act of 2002. The FCC seeks specific input on reducing the information collection burden, notably for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. This information collection relates to the use of a white space database, which prevents unlicensed devices from interfering with TV reception. The annual burden of this collection is estimated at 7,000 hours, with a total cost of $151,000. Comments from the public are due by April 4, 2025, and must be submitted online and emailed directly to a specified FCC contact.

Significant Issues and Concerns

There are notable concerns regarding the clarity and detail in the document. Firstly, the estimated annual cost of $151,000 is mentioned without a breakdown or explanation, making it hard to assess whether this expenditure is justifiable. Similarly, the 7,000 hours of annual burden is not clarified in terms of what activities or processes constitute this time, which raises questions about its necessity and efficiency.

Additionally, while the document requests feedback on how to reduce the burden for small businesses, it lacks concrete proposals or examples, which might leave stakeholders unsure of how to contribute meaningfully. Moreover, the document's reliance on technical jargon, such as specific FCC regulations, may be confusing for those unfamiliar with regulatory language. Lastly, the instructions for submitting comments are detailed and potentially overwhelming for those new to this process.

Impact on the Public

Broadly, this document aims to engage the public and gather feedback on improving efficiency in information collection processes. However, the technical language and procedural requirements might deter effective participation from a broader audience, particularly those from small businesses, who could greatly benefit from reduced paperwork burdens.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For small businesses, especially those with fewer than 25 employees, the document offers an opportunity to voice concerns and suggest ways to alleviate paperwork burdens. Successful input from these stakeholders could lead to more efficient regulatory processes and reduced administrative strain, an outcome positively impacting their operations.

On the other hand, those unfamiliar with FCC regulations or the paperwork reduction processes may find the document's complexity a barrier to participation. Simplifying the language and providing clearer guidelines could enhance accessibility, allowing more stakeholders to engage in this important discussion effectively. This is essential for ensuring diverse viewpoints are considered in regulatory decisions, ultimately benefiting the public and FCC processes alike.

The document under review presents the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) ongoing effort to manage information collection efficiently, particularly concerning small businesses. A significant aspect of this review revolves around the financial implication of the information collection processes as outlined by the FCC.

Financial Summary

The document specifies a total annual cost of $151,000 associated with the proposed information collection. This mentioned expenditure supports the FCC's goal of reducing the paperwork and information collection burden. However, the document does not offer a detailed explanation or breakdown of why the estimated cost stands at $151,000. This lack of detail raises questions about the financial prudence and the necessity of this expenditure, leaving room for doubt regarding whether the spending is justified.

Additionally, the document notes a total annual burden of 7,000 hours, which, while related to time rather than a direct monetary value, implies labor costs that compose part of the financial allocation. The connection between the annual cost and the time burden remains unexplained, adding to the opacity around the financial reasoning.

Issues Related to Financial References

One of the prominent issues identified in the document is the absence of a detailed financial justification for the $151,000 annual cost. For stakeholders, particularly small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, understanding the financial specifics is crucial for assessing the impact and necessity of such an allocation. The lack of clear, specific breakdowns or justifications makes it challenging for the public and affected businesses to evaluate if the financial resource allocation is warranted and effectively utilized.

Moreover, the complexity and technical nature of the document, with references such as "Sections 15.709, 15.713," can obscure understanding for those not versed in regulatory language or FCC operations. Without a clear explanation of these elements in financial terms, it becomes even harder for a layperson to ascertain why the $151,000 is necessary.

Conclusion

In light of these observations, it appears there is a substantial gap in the documentation regarding how financial resources are allocated and justified. To improve transparency and understanding, the FCC could benefit from providing detailed breakdowns of expenditures and clearer justifications for financial requirements in such notices. This would aid both general audiences and affected businesses in grasping the necessity and effectiveness of these financial allocations.